How to pray the Rosary

If you're just getting started with the Rosary, you might be wondering: What do all these beads mean? The Rosary is more than a necklace — it's a simple, structured guide for prayer that you hold in your hands, one bead at a time.

A standard Rosary has 59 beads and a crucifix, all arranged in a special way to guide your journey through prayer:

• The Crucifix is where we begin, making the Sign of the Cross and reciting the Apostles’ Creed.
• The first single bead is for the Our Father.
• Then comes a group of three beads — one for each Hail Mary, usually offered for faith, hope, and charity.
• Another single bead follows, where we pray the Glory Be and announce the first mystery.
• After that come the five decades — each made of one Our Father bead, ten Hail Mary beads, and a space or bead for the Glory Be and Fatima Prayer.

Altogether, this looped chain mirrors the eternal nature of God and the seasons of our faith journey.

There are also other versions of the Rosary:

• A one-decade Rosary is a smaller, portable version (often on a bracelet or keychain), but the prayers are the same.
• A full Rosary includes all 20 decades, covering the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries. Some people pray one set daily; others pray all four.
• And then there are chaplets — similar in style but different in structure and intention. Chaplets are dedicated to specific devotions (like Divine Mercy or saints) and may have different bead counts.

So, if you’ve ever felt unsure about “how” to pray with beads — you’re not alone. But once you understand the pattern, it becomes second nature. It’s a peaceful rhythm, a way to slow down, reflect, and pray from the heart.

In our Canadian homes — where we’re craving calm, clarity, and connection — the Rosary offers all three. Whether you use a full set of beads or just your fingers, this prayer is for you.

Let’s make the Rosary a daily habit again, Canada. One bead at a time.